News

MOEEN FOCUSED ON NEW COUNTY SEASON BUT HUNGRY FOR MORE ENGLAND CALL-UPS

MOEEN FOCUSED ON NEW COUNTY SEASON BUT HUNGRY FOR MORE ENGLAND CALL-UPS

6th Apr 2014

Moeen Ali admits he has the "hunger" to play more cricket for England after his winter breakthrough but insists his current priority is scoring runs for Worcestershire.

The 26-year-old had just one day off - on Wednesday - after his winter tour of the West Indies and then the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh before resuming training with his county team-mates.

But he is keen to build on that run of nine ODI and Twenty20 appearances out of a possible 10 by showing impressive form for the county who launch their LV County Championship programme against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Sunday.

Moeen said: "It meant a lot to make my England debut. It is something I always wanted to do.

"For a bit I thought the opportunity was going to slip out of my hands. I felt I was at my age where England were doing well and maybe it was going to slip away.

"But I worked really hard on my game and thankfully the opportunity came.

"I started well in the World Cup and then the last couple of games I didn't score any runs although I was more disappointed we lost the games.

"It has made me more hungry to stay in the England set-up. I loved every minute of it for England. Everyone made me feel welcome, made it feel comfortable for me.

"But playing for Worcestershire means a lot to me. I'm really happy when I come and join these guys. I'm really looking forward to Sunday and getting started."

Moeen said: "At the moment it's all about performing one day at a time for Worcestershire and that's what I'm concentrating on.

"It always feel nice to start the new season and you have a few butterflies but I've been playing all winter and feel in good shape.

"I want to play a lot more for England so I know I need to come back and perform for Worcestershire and hopefully I will have a good start and can then kick on with my England career."